Two Democrats in Deadlock Race to be California’s Next Chief of Schools

If dollars reflect influence, one might think that the California Superintendent of Public Instruction is three times as powerful as the Governor.

The two candidates in a deadlock race for the Superintendent seat--incumbent Tom Torlakson and challenger Marshall Tuck--have together spent over $30 million. Combined spending in the Governor’s race between incumbent Democrat, Jerry Brown, and Republican challenger Neel Kashkari pales in comparison at $10.1 million.

Leading up to the state’s local and state elections on Nov. 4, a final field poll shows Torlakson and Tuck each with 28 percent of likely voters--meaning a substantial 44 percent are still undecided. It is by far the closest race in the state.

That’s a lot of money and drama for a ceremonial position with limited powers to influence policy and expenditures. The job description has all the makings of a chief spokesperson tasked with “the less glamorous role of administering the department” and enacting policies set by the state legislature and Board of Education, according to the Los Angeles Times. EdSource lightly jabs this as “the race that will determine who gets the biggest megaphone on education issues.” (More on the job description here.)

All the hullabaloo has focused on what has been portrayed as an ideological clash between two constituencies with deep pockets: teacher unions and corporate reformers.

The two candidates agree generally on some issues, such as better support for Common Core implementation and local district control over funding and spending. Both Tuck and Torlakson also acknowledge the role that technology can play to support teachers and improve student outcomes. In 2012, Torlakson appointed an Education Technology Task Force to identify the state’s needs and make recommendations.

An added twist is that both Tuck and Torlakson are registered Democrats (The Superintendent position is a nonpartisan seat.) The New York Times says this bitter race could engender a broader, national rift within a party that has long championed the cause of unions.

They say war and politics make strange bedfellows. In this race, it’s turned political bedfellows into enemies.

UPDATE (7:40AM PT NOV 5): Torlakson will remain the California Superintendent, edging Tuck 52%-48%. Most major urban counties elected to go Torlakson--even Los Angeles, considered to be Tuck's home base.

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